Price of goods: A union appeals to Hun Sen
31 Dec 2008
By Nhim Sophal
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Click here to read the article in French
Chuon Mom Thol, president of the Khmer Union, sent a letter to Hun Sen asking him to act in favor of a lowering of the price of goods.
In this letter, Chuon Mom Thol, president of the Khmer Union – a union known to be pro-government – stressed on the lowering of the price of gasoline and cooking gas whereas the price of other goods has not changed. For example, he cited the price of one kilo of pork meat which is currently sold between 16,000 and 18,000 riels ($4 to $4.50) on the retail market, whereas the wholesale price is only 6,000 riels ($1.50).
“I believe that Samdach Hun Sen could do something on this issue, just like what he did for gasoline, gambling parlors or loan sharks. He had shown in the latter about the efficiency of his intervention. If he is taking action again, he will increase his popularity,” Chuon Mom Thol indicated.
This is the first time that a representative of this union makes a direct appeal to the prime minister to attract his attention to the cost of living condition. According to Chuon Mom Thol, it was through his discussions with female factory workers and his observations that some of these workers earn a better living by working in karaoke bars and beer gardens, that he decided to send a letter to Hun Sen. However, up to now, Hun Sen has not provided any reply yet.
Unions close to the opposition party had already appealed to Hun Sen to take action on these problems, but nothing happened.
